News

Guildhall roof work delayed

REPAIRS to Salisbury Guildhall’s roof could be delayed by at least a year as the city council pursues funding.

The council was planning to apply for a Public Works Board Loan to fund the repair of the roof and the installation of solar panels, but decided to instead make an application to the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).

The services committee heard on Monday that officers met with the HLF at the end of April and were given encouragement to continue the application.

As well as the work to the roof, the proposed bid could include craftsmen training schemes, public tours of the works in progress, development of the old cells area and a programme of events to provide greater access and use of the Guildhall as a community asset, visitor attraction and heritage building.

The committee voted to support the bid and, if the policy and resources committee also support it, an application will be submitted in November. The application would then go in front of a panel in March 2015 and, if successful, another panel in November or March 2016.

HLF may expect the council to contribute a minimum of £45,000 towards the project, but an application with greater match funding may have more likelihood of success.

Work was due to start on the roof in early 2015, so looks likely to be delayed by between 12 and 18 months.